Sweet-swinging Utley hits two homers off Sabathia

Thursday

Oct 29, 2009 at 1:53 AMOct 29, 2009 at 1:55 AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Chase Utley showed off his sweet stroke on a grand stage. Philadelphia's All-Star second baseman hit two solo homers off CC Sabathia, helping the defending champion Phillies beat the New York Yankees 6-1 in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night.

ROB MAADDI

NEW YORK (AP) — Chase Utley showed off his sweet stroke on a grand stage.

Philadelphia's All-Star second baseman hit two solo homers off CC Sabathia, helping the defending champion Phillies beat the New York Yankees 6-1 in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night.

"The approach I had was to try to lay off the slider — because the slider is a tough one to hit on the barrel — and try to hit his fastball, and I was able to do that," Utley said. "He left one kind of in the middle of the plate, and you can't miss those pitches against that type of pitcher."

Utley walked in the first inning to set a postseason record by reaching base in 26 straight games. He drove a 95 mph fastball about two rows into the seats in right field with two outs in the third, giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead. Utley sent another 95 mph fastball, on an 0-2 pitch, deep into the right-field bleachers with one out in the sixth to make it 2-0.

Utley became the second left-handed batter to hit two homers off a left-handed pitcher in the World Series, joining Babe Ruth who did it for the Yankees against St. Louis in 1928.

"I guess that's pretty good company," said Utley, who finished the game 2 for 4 with a walk. "It doesn't really matter that much."

Sabathia had not allowed a homer in Yankee Stadium to a left-handed hitter this year before Utley connected.

Utley came in 0 for 7 with five strikeouts against New York's ace, including the postseason. The Phillies beat Sabathia in Game 2 of the NL division series last year when he pitched for Milwaukee.

Known mostly for his hitting, the hardworking Utley has developed into an above-average fielder since breaking in with the Phillies in 2003. But he made two throwing errors while trying to turn double plays that led to important runs in the first two games of the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

When the Phillies returned to Philadelphia with the series tied at one game apiece, Utley's errant tosses were the talk of the town. Some compared him to Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch. When Utley made an accurate throw on his first chance at home, fans gave him a hand. It wasn't mock applause, more a sense of relief. And Utley hasn't had any problems throwing to first since leaving Dodger Stadium.

Now, his bat will put him back in the headlines.

With a short, compact swing, Utley seems to have a perfect stroke. He's averaged 30 homers and 100 RBIs while batting .303 over the last four seasons, and has started in the All-Star game each year.

Utley is widely considered the best second baseman in the majors. Gritty and hard-nosed, he goes all-out on every play, busts it on routine grounders and easy pop-ups, and spends lots of time in the video room and batting cages.

He played through pain last season, helping the Phillies win the World Series. He had hip surgery last November but returned ahead of schedule and was in the lineup on opening day. Utley finished this season with a .282 average, 31 homers, 93 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He's batting .324 (12 for 37) with three homers in the postseason.

"When he hits .282, if you want to know the truth, I think that's low for him," Manuel said. "I think he's a .300 hitter. I think he knows he's a .300 hitter. I think I said it today or yesterday, but he's probably going to have a good Series."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.